Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-26

well grown girl OF seventeen, and though
had mixed very little in society battered
myself was in measure free from that
awlSwardness so painfully common TO girls
brought up in seclusion. had during this
time heard occasionally from the Clayton's,
who still resided at CaledoE, as OF old.
Irma Barrett was not yet married, though
she had been u leigning belle for two sea-
sons. Her beauty and immense fortune
brought her hosts of admirers, but her vain
nature would not yet allow her TO be bound
by the chains of betrothal or matrimony.
Oliver Dudley was still single also, though
sometimes heard with O strong pang at my
heart, Of his assidious attention TO lrma
Barrett.
ssWhat was il to me-" 1 asked myself,
anRrily, "whether he married the heiress or
mott"
Surely he was nothing to me. Had he
not scorned the little beggarly dependant,
and did not have cause for hating him for
such an ungrateful return for tho devotion
TO him L chcrishedl And did hate him,
cried, angered at my foolish heart, that
Just as often gave proof of the falseness OF
this assertion.
It was tho winter Of my seventeenth year
that Mrs. Kent received an urgent invita-
ton from a friend in New York TO visit her.
They had been old and dear friends, and
Mrs. Kent, though she did not like the
idea Of gay winter in the metropolis, yet
felt Obliged TO accept her friends invitation
tor the sake Of old times.
Having never yet caught even a
glimpse of the gay world, it is no wonder !
felt some delight, yet q great deal OF
trepidation, at the thought of being a
visitor at one OF tho richest and most
fashionable mansions in the city. Mrs.
Kent, having no desire that should appear
backward or illclad, provided me with an
ample wardrobe and spent much time in
instructing me in fashionable etiquette-to
oil of which listened with closest atten-
ton, determined that il possible my kind
patron should have no cause TO feel morti-
fed at my appearance.
"Dear child" said Mrs. Kent. show anx-
ious you are toimprove yourself in my eyesi
though" she added, 'you are good enough
and polished enough already, for you have
never caused me moments discomfort
since you became my dear adopted daugh-
ter.''
And / felt that she had paid me the high
est compliment l could have cared to
lear.
We finally found ourselves domiciled at
Mrs. Leiberg's splendid and hospitable
mansion. She, like my adopted mother,
was widow with married sons and daugh-
tors. One son, however, resided with his
mother and his wife and their lovely chill
dren were the pride Of her heart.
We were warmly received, and I
| felt at homo at once with the
whole family. / now for tho first
time enjoyed the society of young
people. l felt somewhat backward at first,
but this gradually wore of, and was soon
able to chat with comparative ease with my
new acquaintances. We attended concerts,
musical soiroes; VIC visited the art CALLER
les, the museums, we rode in the park; we
attended the theater and opera, in fact in
aulged in all those expansive Injuries and
,ostly pleasures that only the rich can af-
ford.
We were one day driving in the park, my
self, the younger Mrs. Iceberg and the
children, when suddenly carriage passed
US in whose occupants recognized some
thing strangely familiar. leaned forward
TO catch closer glimpse, and as did SO the
gentleman turned his head and l caught
sight Of his face. ] could not be mistaken
the dark eyes, the soft curling hair
and shapely form were none other than
Oliver Dudleys. ! knew him instantly,
and it only needed q glance at the golden
hair Of the beauty beside him 70 ascertain
that 1t was Irma Barrett.
sank back with quick, keen pain at my
heart; my hand clutching aimlessly at my
rich sable muff, my cheeks growing
strangely pale, / knew, for kind Mira
Iceberg at once enquired If were i'll.
"Ohl no; it is nothing 1 answered
calmly enough, wondering even at myself
that could be so strongly moved at the
sight OF this man, who was not, nor ever
could be, aught to me.
Invent home feeling strangely depressed
II was probable then that the ClaytonJ
were in the city ! had heard Of their some
times visiting hero. l should be almost GER
tain to meet them knew, and my heart beat
quickly at the thought, for never could re-
gard them in any other light than my bit
terest enemies.
Mrs. Kent met mo in the parlor. "There
is gentleman TO SEQ you in the drawing.
room, Dorrie," she said, smiling. "Strange
how attractive Mr.. Balfour (naming the
gentleman) finds our house Of late" she
added, archly. "And Colonel Baily called
also this morning. Really, Dorrie, you are
getting TO be quite belle"
l laughed lightly at her words, and ran
up 70 my room 10 remove my wraps before
going down to meet my friend. felt
angry at myself that could not feel moro
than passing interest in this handsome
young Balfour, whose admiration for me
had been patent fact since our first meet
ing He was rich, young handsome-what
more could i desire. Ny friends, too, all
looked upon him with favor, and felt
guilty when j remembered how had en-.
couragcd his attention when felt for him
only friendship, not love, not even the ghost
ofit.
There was also Colonel Baily, another, h
every way, eligible suitor; except in the
matter Of age, no being number Of years
my senior, though not old, by any means;
he was handsome and courtly, very king
among men, some would have called him.
But did not care for hm,I said, perversely
! should never fall in love; men were all
alike to me, and why did they annoy me
with their attentions.
Snow, II Oliver Dudley were Edgar
Balfour," found myself saying, and then l
stopped. "Dorcas Lynn cried, mentally,
In n rage with myself, "for such foolish
thoughts am ashamed OF you; Surely you
have lost much of your boosted pride to
lament man you never knew, beside, ono
who is engaged TO another;" md thus silence
ing my heart went down determined TO be
very kind TO Mr.. Balfour in future and TO
permit no thought of Oliver Dudley &c
stand between me and the duty owed Mrs
Kent, who, knew, regarded Edgar Balfov
ns most eligible young man. think
must have succeeded very well In my at
tempt to appear agreeable, for Mr.. Balfour
not only paid me several rather extravagan.
compliments, but several times l barely
avoided receiving from him direct offor Of
his heart and hand by judiclously turning
conversation into another channel.
The next day as was oar custom, we drove
In the park, and again saw Oliver Dudley,
but alone this time, and / could but remark
how pale and worn he looked, like person
hard worked or III in body or mind. We
passed him twice and ut tho last tiino he
raised his eyes end gave me direct lock
that made mo start: but he evidently did